I have two sibling cats about 1.5 years old. They have wonderful, friendly personalities. They're sweet to guests, and they constantly follow me around and want to be near me when we're here alone. They are great cats, except for the fact that they keep destroying anything with wires. Here's a short list of wires destroyed in the past 2 months: cable modem cord (twice), headphones (4 sets), iPod connecting cord, computer speakers (2 sets), keyboard, mouse. None of these cords dangle. They sit flat on some surface. The severity of the damage has been from frayed wires to wires being completely chewed through.
While we're on the topic, they've ripped my sofa to shreds, along with my fake leather chair and everything else.
I don't know if this matters, but they never do this in front of me. The clawing on the couch they do, but all I have to do is look at them and maybe grunt and they stop. The wires they destroy when I'm either asleep, away, or, as in yesterday's case when they destroyed the mouse cord, in the shower. So it seems they know not to do these things, but do them anyway when I'm not looking.
In the early days, I tried redirecting their attention. If I saw them go to something they shouldn't mess with, I'd steer them towards a toy or a scratch post. As they got older, they continued the behavior, and I'd yell at them in the act. Sometimes I've resorted to hitting them while in the act, although I know that's not recommended. I've tried scare tactics, such as putting them up on the desk near my computer equipment and using something (such as a flimsy aluminum sign) to create copious noise and scare them. I've purchased two kinds of spray, one that tastes bad and one that smells bad. Not a single thing has worked.
As far as other things to do, they have an entire room in my 2-bedroom apartment all to themselves. The room has empty cardboard boxes, toys, a scratching post, and places for them to perch. In the living room is another scratching post and a miniature cat condo with scratching pad.
I should add that I never play with dangly toys with them. Their favorite toys are a drumstick and little mice toys, both of which are available at all times. I've never once taught them that dangly or wirey things are toys.
Is there anything I can do? I'm at my wit's end here, and am a day away from dropping them off at a shelter.
Thanks in advance.
While we're on the topic, they've ripped my sofa to shreds, along with my fake leather chair and everything else.
I don't know if this matters, but they never do this in front of me. The clawing on the couch they do, but all I have to do is look at them and maybe grunt and they stop. The wires they destroy when I'm either asleep, away, or, as in yesterday's case when they destroyed the mouse cord, in the shower. So it seems they know not to do these things, but do them anyway when I'm not looking.
In the early days, I tried redirecting their attention. If I saw them go to something they shouldn't mess with, I'd steer them towards a toy or a scratch post. As they got older, they continued the behavior, and I'd yell at them in the act. Sometimes I've resorted to hitting them while in the act, although I know that's not recommended. I've tried scare tactics, such as putting them up on the desk near my computer equipment and using something (such as a flimsy aluminum sign) to create copious noise and scare them. I've purchased two kinds of spray, one that tastes bad and one that smells bad. Not a single thing has worked.
As far as other things to do, they have an entire room in my 2-bedroom apartment all to themselves. The room has empty cardboard boxes, toys, a scratching post, and places for them to perch. In the living room is another scratching post and a miniature cat condo with scratching pad.
I should add that I never play with dangly toys with them. Their favorite toys are a drumstick and little mice toys, both of which are available at all times. I've never once taught them that dangly or wirey things are toys.
Is there anything I can do? I'm at my wit's end here, and am a day away from dropping them off at a shelter.
Thanks in advance.
